Most modern phones no longer offer headphone jacks, relegating them to either budget or entry-level options or removing them for design/aesthetic choices. The latter involves slimmer form factors that could be at odds with the size of the 3.5mm headphone jack even as smartphone manufacturers continue to subscribe to the less-is-more approach to design by eliminating excessive ports and options for smartphones that overwhelmingly come with the now-uniform USB Type-C connector lately.
This however does put users who need a headphone jack to connect to legacy hardware at significant odds with market trends, limiting choices available to them to a much smaller pool of devices. This is particularly true towards the higher end of the spectrum where neither Samsung’s high-end Galaxy devices nor the current iPhone models offer one. Users can however use a relatively cheap USB-C to 3.5mm adapter on said devices to get the job done.
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However, for those who can not compromise on having a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack on their mobile device, the team at Game Rant has compiled a list of some of the best candidates that they can turn to for their audio needs below.
Game Rant’s Best Phones with a Headphone Jack
The Best All-Round Phone With A Headphone Jack
Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is its latest flagship device that offers some of the best cameras in the business, a fast CPU, and plenty of RAM and storage under the hood, making it one of the best Android-based smartphones in the industry.
It also offers wireless charging, IP65/IP68 certified build quality, a dedicated side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a 3.5mm jack for audiophiles.
- Brand
-
Sony
- BATTERY
-
5000 mAh
- Operating System
-
Android 14
- Dimensions
-
162 x 74 x 8.2 mm
- Screen Size
-
6.5 inches
- CAMERAS
-
Rear: Triple (50+12+12 MP) Front: 12MP
- PROCESSOR
-
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- CHARGING
-
30W Wired, 15W Wireless
- IP RATING
-
IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant
- Weight
-
192g
- NFC
-
yes
- Wireless Charging
-
Yes
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack
-
Yes
- Memory
-
12GB RAM
- Comes with one of the best cameras on a mobile device
- Offers excellent audio quality with a wide range of codecs supported and an above-average loudspeaker in tow
- Has an excellent display with a high PPI density for users looking to watch or create content on the go
- Slightly pricey versus other mobile devices with similar internals
Users wanting a powerful contender for their media consumption and recording needs in addition to day-to-day use should consider the Sony Xperia 1 VI which comes with plenty of features under the hood to warrant a second look versus other flagship devices. With an excellent 6.5-inch LTPO OLED display on offer that can clock in 120Hz while offering excellent HDR performance, it is a massive upgrade for most users looking to swap devices in 2025.
It offers above-average battery life, an excellent tri-camera setup, and plenty of RAM (12GB) to avoid slowdowns during prolonged or heavy-duty use cases. It comes in 2 capacity trims (256GB and 512GB) and 4 unique colors (Black, Platinum silver, Khaki green, Scar red), allowing users to pick up a unit that suits their tastes. All units come with a dedicated 3.5mm jack in addition to support for BT 5.4, Wi-Fi 7, and NFC in addition to plenty of audio codecs should one need to switch to wireless communication from time to time.
The Best Gaming Phone With A Headphone Jack
Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro
$669 $899 Save
$230
The REDMAGIC 9 Pro offers the internals of a flagship with significant aesthetic upgrades, a massive battery, and a price tag that makes it worth considering over the competition for gamers and enthusiasts looking for a new device this year.
With Gorilla Glass 5 protecting the front screen in addition to extensive gaming-centric cooling options including a dedicated vapor chamber and a turbo fan on offer, the REDMAGIC can win both, performance and durability tests with ease, making it a force to be reckoned with going into 2024.
- Brand
-
REDMAGIC
- RAM
-
12GB/16GB
- Storage
-
256GB/512GB
- Battery
-
6500 mAh battery
- Ports
-
USB-C, Headphone Jack
- Operating System
-
Redmagic OS 9 (Android 14)
- SoC
-
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Display
-
6.8 inch AMOLED 400 PPI display
- Front camera
-
16MP
- Rear camera
-
50MP+50MP
- Colors
-
Matte Black, Transparent Black, Silver/White
- Weight
-
229g
- GPU
-
Adreno 750
- Has an impressively large battery life on offer
- Delivers on performance and memory fronts alike for its price point
- Trades at a considerable discount versus its previous MSRP currently
- Does have a somewhat underwhelming camera offering
- The underlying redmagic OS overlay can be a bit quirky
For most users in the market for a gaming phone that also comes with a headphone jack, the Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro is one of the easiest recommendations in play. It comes with an excellent CPU/GPU combination, a large battery, and a capable loudspeaker under the hood while supporting 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio thanks to its built-in Snapdragon sound capabilities.
It also trades at an impressively low price point thanks to a series of price cuts, making it considerably more competitive in terms of price-to-performance ratios than most of its peers. It does, however, suffer slightly from a less-than-optimal camera system and an OS that could still do with some level of polishing as Red Magic attempts to build an overlay on top of the vanilla Android experience.
For users willing to splurge a bit more, the Red Magic 10 Pro is also a capable contender for an additional $80 versus its predecessor.
The Best Premium Phone With A Headphone Jack
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is Asus’ latest iteration of one of the most powerful gaming smartphones on the market. This phone comes with extreme levels of performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, featuring a market-leading mobile CPU and GPU. Gaming is smoother and more vibrant, thanks to the 6.78-inch AMOLED display, delivering 1080 x 2400 pixels and up to 185 Hz refresh rate.
In addition to excellent gaming performance, the smartphone features a triple camera setup with up to 50-megapixel sensors. The ROG Phone 9 Pro also has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of lightning-fast storage.
- Brand
-
Asus
- SoC
-
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display
-
6.78 inches
- RAM
-
16 GB
- Storage
-
512 GB
- Battery
-
5800 mAh
- Ports
-
USB-C, DisplayPort
- Operating System
-
Android 15
- Rear camera
-
50 MP + 32 MP + 13 MP
- Connectivity
-
32 MP
- Dimensions
-
6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 inches
- Colors
-
Phantom Black
- Display type
-
LTPO AMOLED
- Weight
-
0.5 lb
- Charge speed
-
65W wired, 15W wireless
- IP Rating
-
IP68
- Micro SD card support
-
N/A
- Stylus
-
N/A
- GPU
-
Qualcomm Adreno 830
- Material
-
Glass + aluminum
- Release date
-
November 20, 2024
- Main Camera
-
50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm
- Wide-Angle Camera
-
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm
- Cover display
-
N/A
- Interior display
-
N/A
- Telephoto
-
32 MP, f/2.4
- Software Update Policy
-
Up to 2 major Android upgrades
- User Interface (UI)
-
ROG UI
- Default Browser
-
Chrome
- Comes with a beefy CPU/GPU combination out of the box
- Has an impressive amount of RAM on offer (16/24GB)
- Has a dedicated attachable cooler to keep it running cool in a variety of situations
- Considerably more pricey than most of its peers
- Is heftier than competing devices while weighing just over half a pound
Users looking for a flagship device to drive their media needs without having budget constraints might want to consider ASUS’s flagship device, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. The device that was released in November 2024 comes with plenty of upgrades to go with its ROG-themed design, including a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU, as much as 1TB of storage, and 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM under the hood.
It also supports 32-bit/384kHz Hi-Res audio in both wired (3.5mm audio jack/USB-C) and wireless modes for users, in addition to wireless charging under the hood. Users can also use the optional AeroActive Cooler X Pro for their productivity and gaming needs on the device, which allows it to remain cooler and more performant in a variety of use cases – that is, if you are willing to shell out the eye-watering $1500 ASUS currently asks for the device.
Need to know more before you make a buy? The team at Game Rant has a dedicated review of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro available to help you make a more informed purchase.
Best Budget Phone With A Headphone Jack
Samsung Galaxy A15
The Samsung Galaxy A15 is an excellent mid-range cellphone that offers an excellent camera, different RAM, and storage capacities with the option to extend storage via a MicroSD card slot and a large 5000 mAh battery at an appealing price for most users looking to get a phone under $150.
- Brand
-
Samsung
- RAM
-
6 GB
- Storage
-
128 GB
- Battery
-
5000 mAh
- Ports
-
USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Operating System
-
Android
- Connectivity
-
4G LTE, Wireless
- Large 5000 mAh battery for extended use
- Dual SIM and factory unlocked out of the box
- Comes with adequate storage and RAM out of the box for most users
- Sports and excellent camera for its asking price
- Is limited to 4G speeds unless you pay extra for the 5G variant
- Plastic back/frame may feel less premium versus other options
The Samsung Galaxy A15 is the best budget phone with a headphone jack for those who prioritize comprehensive features in a smartphone. Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and dual SIM capabilities, it is ideal for extended days and international travel. The phone’s 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM ensure it can handle virtually any application or task, making it a dependable daily driver.
While the Galaxy A15 boasts significant advantages, it’s important to acknowledge that it lacks 5G support and features a plastic build, which may not appeal to everyone. Nonetheless, this phone remains an excellent choice for those who value headphone jack availability and long battery life over the most cutting-edge network technology. These practical features affirm its status as one of the better budget phones with a headphone jack.
Users wanting a 5G version of the same can opt for an Amazon gift card-bundled SKU of the A15 5G instead, which comes with similar specifications and a headphone jack, albeit at a slightly higher price.
Choosing the Right Phone with a Headphone Jack
- Audio Quality: Prioritize models with superior DACs and amplifiers for the best sound experience
- Battery Life: make sure the phone can support long listening sessions without frequent charges
- Additional Features: Consider other specifications like camera quality, storage options, and build quality
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Best Phones Under $500 in 2024
Explore our picks for the best phones under $500, perfect for tech lovers on a budget.
FAQ
Q: Are phones with headphone jacks still available?
Yes, despite the trend towards wireless audio, several manufacturers still offer phones with headphone jacks, catering to audiophiles and traditionalists.
Q: Can I get good sound quality from a phone with a headphone jack?
Absolutely! Phones with headphone jacks often include high-quality DACs, providing excellent sound performance.
Q: Are there high-end phones with a headphone jack?
Yes, several high-end models still feature a headphone jack, combining advanced features with the convenience of wired audio.
